Recidivism program launched at county jail

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A program aimed at keeping low-level offenders out of jail has been launched by the state Attorney General's Office.

The “Back on Track LA” pilot program will give inmates access to educational programs while incarcerated, and provide them with employment and life skill services after they are released.

The program was announced Thursday by state Attorney General Kamala Harris. The Attorney General's Office will partner with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and other public and private sector partners, including Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles Mission College and Los Angeles Trade Tech College.

“It is time for smart-on-crime policies that keep our communities safe, hold offenders accountable, and reduce our prison population,” Harris said in a statement.

The program is open to non-serious, non-violent and non-sexual offenders from 18 to 30 who are incarcerated in the county's jail system. Inmates will be enrolled in the pilot program for 24 to 30 months. Each inmate will be assigned a case manager to follow their progress.

– Douglas Morino

DWP holds final bill resolution day

Customers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power who think their bills might be inaccurate as a result of the agency's billing system issues can head to four locations in the city from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today for answers.

It's the seventh and final Saturday that DWP plans to hold these open hours, at the Crenshaw Customer Service Center at 4030 Crenshaw Blvd.; the Van Nuys Customer Service Center, 6550 Van Nuys Blvd.; the Watts Customer Service Center, 1686 E. 103rd St.; and the West Los Angeles Customer Service Center, 1394 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Saturday hours began in late March as a way to address billing issues caused by glitches in the utility's new customer billing software, which inaccurately estimated customer bills and in some cases left customers without bills for months.

Earlier this week, DWP officials announced that turn-offs will begin in June for utility customers who haven't paid their bill for more than 90 days. DWP spokesman Joe Ramallo said the utility offers payment plans and low-income discount programs for customers who are having difficulty paying or catching up on a delinquent bill.

“But they need to contact us to initiate the process to get on a payment plan to catch up,” Ramallo said.

For more information, visit
ladwp.com/ContactUs or call 1-800-DIAL-DWP.

– Kellie Mejdrich

Beverly Hills

bans fracking

Beverly Hills City Council banned the use of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as a means to extract oil and natural gas in the city on May 6.

The city ordinance is the first of its kind in California and will come into effect June 6.

There are no projects using fracking in Beverly Hills, according to a release issued by the city.

However, City Council members expressed concern about the lack of federal or state supervision of the practice and noted several possible health and environmental risks associated with fracking, including ground water contamination, air pollution and increased seismic activity.

Attendees will learn what to do to prevent packages delivered to their home from being stolen and safe ways to deal with strangers who approach their doorstep, among other things, according the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. May 13 and at Saint Euphrasia Church, located at 11767 Shoshone Ave.

– Martha Ramirez

West Hollywood pool closes

The pool at West Hollywood Park has been closed temporarily while crews resurface the plaster; it will reopen June 16 in time for summer aquatics programs.

The plaster is is chipping off, according to a city staff report.

Those who signed up for swim lessons in May have been issued refunds. The replastering project was scheduled to coincide with LA Pride, when the pool is typically closed for nine days in June for the festivities, said City Manager Paul Arevalo at Monday's City Council meeting.

The Los Angeles Police Department has identified the motorcyclist fatally injured after colliding with an MTA bus on May 8 as Manuel Jimenez Galvan of Chatsworth.

Galvan was headed west on Nordhoff Street when he crashed into the bus, which was preparing to turn left while traveling east on Nordhoff, according to the department's Valley Traffic Division, subsequently causing him to hit a roadway, curb and light pole before being engulfed by flames.

Galvan died at the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or can provide information is asked to call 877-527-3247.

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